Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Amy Payne
Sabrina Richard, an eighth-grade student at Westfield Middle School, is really cooking these days. In more ways than one.
Richard, the Westfield Student of the Month, has appeared on television cooking shows and worked at cooking demonstrations, all while maintaining a busy school schedule and staying heavily involved with extracurricular activities.
She believes a person is more productive when they are involved in different programs and other activities.
“I always tell other kids to fill up their plate with a lot of activities,” Richard says. “Join lots of clubs. You will make a lot of new friends and learn more. Find out what you are interested in and try a school club you haven’t before. There are so many great opportunities to get involved and discover new things.”
Richard enjoys cooking, acting and being involved with the Girl Scouts.
When she was 11 years old, she appeared on “Rachael Ray’s Kids Cook-Off” on The Food Network. She has also appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay” as a guest judge.
“I love cooking, and I think I would like to go in a culinary direction in high school and college,” Richard says. “I’m looking at culinary and marketing as something to study.”
She first became interested in cooking after watching “Julia & Julia,” the movie about Julia Child, when she was seven. She says Child had a saying: “If you can read, you can cook.” Richard figured she could easily read, so she learned how to cook. It was that simple of a decision for her, and she has been a hit ever since.
“I love making pork chops, duck and dill salmon,” Richard says. “I also enjoy making Boeuf Bourguignon (one of Julia Child’s famous dishes). A lot of people enjoy that dish. They also love my beef stew.”
Richard has taught cooking to shoppers at Market District, Indianapolis, in their in-store kitchen and has served as “The Kids in the Kitchen” spokesperson for DinnerCall, an organization that engages parents and kids during mealtimes. She did this during the holidays.
DinnerCall also brings people together by sharing dinner as a family. Richard gave families tips on how to bring kids and parents together, both in the kitchen and at mealtime.
She has also shown her culinary skills at Fantastic Food Fest, and was the celebrity chef for the YMCA at CityWay’s Gala in January 2016 for more than 500 guests. She was also a celebrity chef for The Girl Scouts of Indiana Cookie Cook Off and the “Love It” event, benefitting St. Vincent Hospital Cardiac Center.
Richard loves being in The Girl Scouts (she has sold thousands of cookies) and enjoys acting.
“I’m in ‘The Lion, Winter, and The Wardrobe,’ and it’s a lot of fun,” Richard says. “I like speaking in public, and I like the support I get from being in the show.”
Richard credits her family and the Westfield community for giving her confidence to accomplish her goals.
“I’m always amazed at how friendly everyone in Westfield is,” Richard says. “I feel like I’m in a special bubble. Everyone is super nice. Your neighbors are kind, and the schools are great.”
Richard is looking forward to attending Westfield High School and taking classes that will further her culinary ambitions.
“They have amazing classes, and the seniors there are very helpful,” Richard says. “I love the program they have where the seniors meet with younger kids, show them around and talk to them about what they are interested in.”
Richard believes some students stand out because they are willing to go above and beyond what is expected of them. Her advice to kids is to always demonstrate teamwork and leadership.
“It’s good to show empathy and kindness to others,” she says. “It’s helpful in certain situations to show compassion for others.”
For more information on Richard, check out “Cook with Sabrina” on her website masteringtheartofkidscooking.com or her “Cooking with Sabrina” Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts.
